High Heel Repair and/or Decorative High Heel Cover

ABSTRACT

Novel semi-permanent and/or permanent high heel repair device and/or decorative cover slips over the original material on a high heel to either change the decoration, protect the original high heel material from damage, or to cover damage that occurred on the high heel or on the underlying high heel material. The invention comprises a tube of material in a variety of shapes (depending on the shape of the high heel) with one end of the tube closed, or both ends open. If one end is closed, the closed end has a small hole in it allowing for a heel tip dowel to pass through, stopping at the heel tip (neither the dowel nor the heel tip are part of the device), which helps secure the invention to the high heel. The invention may be semi-permanently attached using this method or permanently attached using this method or additional adhesive or another fixative. The shape of the invention can match the profile of the high heel or be a different profile from the high heel. The invention will be created in several sizes, heights, thicknesses and profiles to fit on several different high heels and either mimic the high heel&#39;s original shape or may change the original high heel shape.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not applicable.

APPENDIX

The present application includes an appendix labeled as “Appendix-A” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The original material that covers the high heel part of a shoe is typically made of delicate materials such as a thin layer of leather, vinyl, plastic, fabric, and/or other animal skin such as snake. The original high heel material cover is easily damaged though the activities of normal wear and tear, such as walking on uneven surfaces, storing, or transporting high heel shoes. The original heel material cover and the original heel itself may also sustain damage from a child or pet, when the child is rough with the shoes and/or the pet chews on the original high heel material.

The damaged original high heel material cover often cannot be repaired due its delicate nature and due to the way the cover is commonly attached to a high heel. For example, the original high heel material cover is typically a single piece of very thin material that is stretched over an uncovered high heel and is attached in place with adhesive or another method of tacking. In attempting to repair a damaged original high heel material cover, matching the original high heel cover material is typically not possible because the material is not available. If the material were available, expecting a person not trained in shoe repair (the typical high heel shoe owner) to remove the damaged cover and replace it with a patch or all new material is unrealistic and would typically result in an unsightly repair. In the case of a damaged original high heel material cover caused by an animal chewing on the heel, that chewing not only damages or removes the original high heel material cover, but it also damages, misshapes and removes material from the underlying high heel.

To repair this type of damage, it is not possible to remove the damaged original high heel material cover along with the whole high heel and replace it with a new high heel that already has a new high heel material cover. High heels are often permanently attached to the body of a shoe and replacement heels cannot be purchased, with or without a desirable high heel material cover.

While there are removable high heel cover products, they are used to temporarily protect the original high heel material from damage while performing specific acts such as driving a car or standing in grass. Those products are not intended to be semi-permanently or permanently attached. Also, those products do not repair the already damaged high heel or its original high heel material cover, and its function is not to enhance the look of the high heel and shoe, unlike the function of this invention which repairs, changes, and enhances the look of the high heel.

Therefore, a need exists for a novel semi-permanent and/or permanent high heel repair and/or decorative high heel cover device to repair a damaged original decorative high heel material cover and/or damaged underlying high heel of a shoe, and to change the look of the original high heel, regardless of whether it was previously damaged.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a novel semi-permanent and/or permanent high heel repair and/or decorative high heel cover device that that is used to repair and/or decorate the outer cover of the high heel part of a shoe and cover any damage to the underlying high heel material. The novel semi-permanent and/or permanent high heel repair and/or decorative high heel cover device is one piece of material. The novel semi-permanent and/or permanent high heel repair and/or decorative high heel cover device is solid material with a shaft configured to slide over, cover, and encase an existing high heel and/or its damaged cover and/or underlying high heel material. The invention may have one closed end or both ends open. If one end is close, that closed end has a hole at the bottom to allow a new flexible heel tip with a dowel (not part of the invention) to be inserted in the bottom of the heel through the invention helping keep the novel semi-permanent and/or permanent high heel repair and/or decorative high heel cover device attached to the original high heel. If both ends are open (hollow tube), the invention may be installed one of three ways: 1) the invention may cover the sides of the heel tip (the heel tip is not part of the invention), or 2) be installed right above where this heel tip (the heel tip is not part of the invention) starts, or 3) remove the heel tip before installing the invention and install the heel tip (heel tip is not part of the invention) half way below the bottom of the heel and bend the edges over the bottom of the high heel, leaving a hole for the heel tip dowel (heel tip dowel not part of the invention) to be inserted into the heel, securing the invention to the high heel. Regardless of whether the invention is has one or two open ends, after it is installed on to the high heel, one cannot tell whether it has one or two open ends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a side perspective view of one example of the installed novel high heel repair and/or decorative high heel cover device system, along with a rubber heel tip (not part of the invention) used to help hold the novel high heel repair and/or decorative high heel cover device system in place.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view of one example of the installed novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system, along with a rubber heel tip (not part of the invention) used to help hold the novel high heel repair and/or decorative high heel cover device system in place.

FIG. 3 depicts the side perspective view of a damaged original heel cover and original damaged heel material before installing the novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system.

FIG. 4 depicts the rear perspective view of a damaged original high heel cover and original damaged high heel underlying material before installing the novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system.

FIG. 5 illustrates an uninstalled novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system, along with a rubber heel tip (not part of the invention) used to help hold the novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system in place. The invention may be open on one end or both ends.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate a circumference profile (top down view) of four example shapes (horseshoe, round, irregular pentagon, and square—not excluding other shapes) the novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system can be, including others, depending on the shape of the original high heel that needs either repair or decoration, or depending on the desired shape of the final installed novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system. FIGS. 6-9 show that the invention can range in shape, size and décor. The height, width, and thickness of the invention is dependent on the original high heel shoe's height, width, and thickness the invention will be repairing or decorating and, therefore, will be available in a variety of heights, widths and thicknesses. The approximated average thickness of each side/wall of the invention is 1/16″-⅛″.

FIG. 10 illustrates an uninstalled novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system, the version with one closed end, along with a rubber heel tip (not part of the invention) used to help hold the novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system in place. This single closed-end version of the novel invention incorporates a short stabilizer cove 9 where a portion of the heel tip (not part of the invention) sits inside and the short stabilizer cove helps secure the heel tip against and into the invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   -   Reference Number 1—The heel of a shoe with a high heel.     -   Reference Number 2—A heel tip (not part of the invention), also         called a heel lift, heel cap, top lift, top heel, etc. It is         used to help hold the novel semi-permanent and/or permanent high         heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system in place.         The invention may or may not be permanently affixed. The heel         tip (not part of the invention) is disposable and replaceable as         it wears down. The heel tip takes the brunt of the pressure and         contact with a walking surface when someone walks in the high         heel shoes.     -   Reference Number 3—The heel breast of a shoe with a high heel.     -   Reference Number 4—The shank of a shoe that extends from the         heel breast.     -   Reference Number 5—Novel semi-permanent and/or permanent high         heel repair device and/or decorative cover—the invention.     -   Reference Number 6—Damage to the high heel material and/or its         decorative cover.     -   Reference Number 7—The hole at the closed end of the invention         that is either at the center or near the center whereby to         assist securing the device to the high heel via the heel tip         (Reference Number 2—not part of the invention).     -   Reference Number 8—The dowel of the heel tip (not part of the         invention) that helps secure the heel tip against and into the         invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combination of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of state features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

A novel semi-permanent and/or permanent decorative high heel repair device and/or decorative cover system is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a through understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by referencing the appended figures representing preferred embodiments. FIG. 1 depicts a side perspective view of one example of the installed novel semi-permanent and/or permanent high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system 5, along with a heel tip 2 (not part of the invention—also called a heel lift, heel cap, top lift, top heel, etc.) used to help hold the novel semi-permanent and/or permanent high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system in place, according to various embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 10 show the heel tip (not part of the invention) with its dowel 8 that extends through a hole in the bottom of the invention, into the middle of the high heel, and helps secures the invention through the bottom of the invention to the high heel. FIGS. 6-9 show the hole 7 in the bottom of the invention where the heel tip dowel 8 (not part of the invention) passes through. The heel tip dowel is connected to the heel tip and is not part of the invention. The invention may encase the entire high heel, depending on any, if any, decorative designs and/or cutouts on the invention and its height which varies. The parts of a high heel that the invention covers are the heel 1 and the heel breast 3. The heel breast extends into the shank 4 of the shoe.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view of one example of the semi-permanent and/or permanent installed novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system 5, along with a heel tip 2 (not part of the invention) used to help hold the novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system in place. This FIG. 2 rear perspective shows that the invention covers the high heel 1 part of the shoe.

FIG. 3 depicts the side perspective view of a damaged original high heel material cover 6 and original damaged underlying high heel material 6 before installing the novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system over the damaged or undamaged high heel. The parts of the high heel that the invention covers are the heel 1 and the heel breast 3. The heel breast extends into the shank 4 of the shoe.

FIG. 4 depicts the rear perspective view of a damaged original high heel material cover 6 and original damaged underlying high heel material 6 before installing the semi-permanent and/or permanent novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system. The parts of the damaged high heel shown in this FIG. 4 that the invention covers is the heel 1. The heel tip 2 is not part of the invention; instead it is used to help secure the invention to the high heel.

FIG. 5 illustrates an uninstalled novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system 5, along with a rubber heel tip (not part of the invention) 2 used to help hold the novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system in place. The dowel 8 that extends out of the heel tip, neither the heel tip, nor its dowel are part of the invention, passes through the hole in the bottom of the invention and helps secure the invention to the bottom of the high heel.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrates a circumference profile (top down view) of four example shapes (horseshoe, round, irregular pentagon, and square), not excluding other shapes, the invention may take. The circumference profile shape may be dictated by the shape of the original high heel that needs either repair or decoration, or depending on the desired shape of the final installed novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system. FIGS. 6-9 illustrate that the invention can range in shape, size and décor. The height, width, and thickness of the invention is dependent on the original high heel shoe that the invention will be repairing or decorating and, therefore, will be available in a variety of heights, widths and thicknesses. The approximated average thickness of each side/wall of the invention is 1/16″-⅛″.

FIG. 10 illustrates a semi-permanent and/or permanent uninstalled novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system, along with a heel tip (not part of the invention). The heel tip, and its dowel, is used to help hold the novel high heel repair and/or decorative heel cover device system in place. This version of the novel invention incorporates a short stabilizer cove 9 where a portion of the heel tip sits inside and the short stabilizer cove helps secure the heel tip against and into the invention.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

The conclusion, ramifications, and scope of the invention is to:

-   -   a. Protect the original high heel cover material of a high heel         by covering it with the device.     -   b. Repair a damaged original high heel cover material by         covering it with the device, thereby hiding from view the         damaged original high heel cover material.     -   c. Protect the original high heel underlying material         (underneath the heel cover material) of a high heel by covering         it with the device.     -   d. Repair damaged original high heel underlying material         (underneath the heel cover material) by covering it with the         device.     -   e. Change the decorative appearance of the high heel cover         material, original or otherwise, by covering it with the         invention regardless of status of damage.     -   f. Prolong the useful life of a high heel shoe by changing its         decorative look or repairing certain damage to the high heel or         its cover material by covering the high heel with the device. 

1. A novel semi-permanent and/or permanent high heel repair and/or decorative high heel cover device 5, comprising: a) A solid tube of material with a shaft though the middle with one closed end or two open ends (look the same after installation) 5; b) The closed end may have a short stabilizer cove and small hole 9 in which the dowel of a heel tip 2, not part of the invention, fits into; c) The closed end of the invention has a small hole 7 either at the center or near the center whereby to assist securing the device to the high heel 1; d) If the invention has two open ends (hollow tube), it can be installed one of three ways: 1) the invention may cover the sides of the heel tip (the heel tip is not part of the invention), or 2) be installed right above where this heel tip (the heel tip is not part of the invention) starts, or 3) remove the heel tip before installing the invention and install the heel tip (heel tip is not part of the invention) half way below the bottom of the heel and bend the edges over the bottom of the high heel, leaving a hole for the heel tip dowel (heel tip dowel not part of the invention) to be inserted into the heel, securing the invention to the high heel. e) Said hollow tube (5) slides over a high heel such that to cover the original high heel, thereby either or both, changing the design of the high heel original material cover and or covering damage (6) to the high heel original (1) material cover and/or its underlying high heel material; f) If the invention has only one opening (plus a small hole on the other end), a dowel of a heel tip (2—not part of the invention) travels through said small hole (7) on the outside of the closed end thereby securing said invention to the high heel (5); and g) Said invention may or may not be permanently attached to the high heel; either way the heel tip (not part of the invention) may be removed and or replaced. 